Lands of Tuscany: Casole d'Elsa

 Hello my friends! Welcome again in My Own Italy to discover Italy with my personal Touch!

Today I'd like to talk you about the always charming Tuscany and about the discover of a nice small village: Casole d'Elsa.
If you are staying at the Hotel Terre di Casole you can reach the village on foot, enjoying a nice walk and a magnificent view!

Casole d'Elsa is a small town in the province of Siena: the village has been disputed since the beginning of 1200 the first between Volterra and Siena, then inevitably involved in the war between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. After a year of Florentine rule, Casole was finally admitted to the domains of Siena after the battle of Montaperti.

The current conformation of this medieval village finds his soul of disputed land, with emphasis on the walls and the Fortress of Casole (Rocca Senese), today the town hall. 

 

 The city walls of Casole have a shape that reminds a pear, with an extension of the major axis of about 420 meters and a width of about 130. You could came in and went out through two gates that now no longer exist.

Casole still retains the atmosphere of the last outpost and traces of fortifications and palaces emerge everywhere, gradually adapted to the needs of men.
The set of streets, squares in medieval buildings make of Casole one of the most charming villages and best preserved - thanks to recent restoration - of the Val d'Elsa.

Casole is also famous for its Palio: a horse race, ridden by jockeys, which takes place every year on the second Sunday of July at 18.30 in honor of San Isidoro. Its origins are lost in antiquity.



There are six districts participating: they correspond to specific territorial divisions, and each district has its own colors and a badge that identifies it. It 'regulated by a statute, led by a Captain and represented by a President. 

  

 Leisure me: this is my tourism!